Heat couture: The dress that turns transparent when your heart's a flutter

Lovers rejoice! You no longer need to have an awkward conversation to tell that special someone you’re into them; presenting the dress that does it for you.

Taking high-tech wearables into very friendly territory, this concept dress is designed to become increasingly transparent as the wearer gets turned on. Envisioned by Dutch artist Daan Roosegaarde and his design firm Studio Roosegaarde, in collaboration with V2 lab and fashion designers Maartje Dijkstra and Anouk Wipprecht, the Intimacy dress “straddles the world of fashion, wearable technology and the electronic arts, while exploring the relation between technology and intimacy in our contemporary technology-driven society”.

Image: Studio Roosegaard

How does it work? Well, herein lies the problem. The design uses wireless, interactive technology and special “smart foil” panels that become transparent in response to the user’s heart rate. So yes, if you’re nervous, happen to climb some stairs or decide to hit the dance floor, then there’s a very high chance you’ll end up naked and giving off the wrong vibe. What’s scarier is that the dress also responds to how far away you are from a spectator as well as camera flashes. Risky business, much?

Image: Studio Roosegaard

According to V2’s website, the most recent of the two prototypes, Intimacy Black, “enables the wearer to engage in a wholly ‘supernatural’ experience with her own skin. The result is a futuristic gown which any stylish woman… would want to wear to her party.” Just don’t dance, flirt, let yourself be photographed or stand too close to anyone.

Image: Studio Roosegaard

With 3D printing on the rise, many international designers are now looking at ways to incorporate technology into their garments, be it through printed fabrics, LED technologies, app integration or temperature-sensitive panels, like the good ol’ icebreaker, Intimacy. Now, we’re all for trends, but this one might take a bit of convincing.

Heat couture: The dress that turns transparent when your heart's a flutter

subscribe

magazine

Sign up to ELLE’s Inner Circle to receive our weekly newsletter and stay-in-the-know with breaking fashion, beauty, celebrity and pop culture news. Plus, be the first to hear about our exclusive offers...